This Honey Sesame Chicken is a copycat of the Panda Express favorite—but made healthier and completely gluten- and dairy-free. Juicy strips of chicken are fried to crispy perfection and tossed in a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy sauce with bell peppers and green beans. It’s a perfect fusion of Asian-inspired comfort food you can enjoy at home.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 egg

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ⅔ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour

• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 2 chicken fillets (10–12 oz), sliced into strips

• Vegetable oil for frying

Vegetables:

• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

• ⅔ cup green beans, cut into 1–2 inch pieces

For the Sauce:

• ½ cup honey

• ⅓ cup gluten-free hot sauce (e.g. Sriracha)

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• ½ cup water

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Garnish:

• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Make Egg Wash: Beat egg with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl.

2. Prepare Flour Mixture: Mix flour, cornstarch, and baking soda in another bowl.

3. Coat Chicken: Dip chicken in egg wash, then dredge in flour mixture. Shake off excess.

4. Fry Chicken: Heat oil in skillet (about 1–1.5 inches deep) to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken for 6–7 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

5. Sauté Veggies: In a separate pan, heat olive oil and stir-fry bell pepper and green beans for 5 minutes until tender.

6. Make Sauce: In a saucepan, mix honey, hot sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, water, and cornstarch. Simmer until thickened and smooth.

7. Combine Everything: Add chicken and sautéed veggies to sauce. Toss until well coated. Warm through for 2–3 minutes.

8. Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and serve over steamed rice or as is.

Nutrients:

(Per serving, approx. 4 servings)

• Calories: ~500 kcal

• Protein: ~30g

• Fat: ~20g

• Carbohydrates: ~45g

• Sugar: ~15g

• Sodium: High (adjust salt and sauce as needed)

Let me know if you’d like a version adapted for air fryer, tofu, or low-carb!

A Homemade Version of a Panda Express Classic

Many fans of Asian-inspired comfort food will recognize this dish as a popular Panda Express item. What sets it apart from other dishes is the balance of crispy and juicy textures, coated in a thick, sweet sauce that clings to every bite. In this homemade interpretation, you can skip the additives and excess sugar while still keeping the craveable flavor profile intact. This version is entirely gluten-free and dairy-free, making it accessible for families with dietary restrictions who still want to enjoy bold, familiar flavors.

Crispy Chicken Without the Guilt

The star of the dish is undeniably the chicken. Cut into tender strips and coated in a light gluten-free flour mixture, the chicken is fried until golden and crisp. While deep frying isn’t typically associated with health food, using a controlled amount of vegetable oil, clean ingredients, and a homemade batter means you can skip the mystery fillers and preservatives that come with fast food. The crispiness of the chicken offers the perfect contrast to the sticky, glossy honey sesame sauce that follows.

A Sauce That Hits All the Right Notes

At the heart of Honey Sesame Chicken lies the sauce. It’s a beautifully balanced blend of sweet honey, tangy lemon juice, spicy hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar. These ingredients come together to create a flavor experience that’s sweet, sharp, and mildly spicy. The addition of cornstarch thickens the mixture into a silky glaze that clings to every piece of chicken and vegetable. You can easily adjust the spice level to your liking, making it family-friendly or fiery depending on your preferences.

Vegetable Boost: More Color, More Nutrition

To round out the dish and add some texture and nutritional variety, sautéed bell peppers and green beans are folded into the mix. These vegetables not only add vibrant color but also provide a fresh crunch that balances the rich sauce. The slightly sweet yellow bell pepper and tender green beans are quick to cook and retain their texture beautifully in the final dish. They also transform the meal into a more complete and satisfying plate, reducing the need for heavy side dishes.

Quick Enough for a Weeknight Dinner

Despite its takeout-level complexity of flavor, this recipe comes together quickly—perfect for busy weeknights when time is short but you still want something comforting and homemade. The entire process, from prepping the chicken to tossing everything in sauce, takes around 30 to 35 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that rewards a little organization up front with huge payoff at the table. And if you’re looking for shortcuts, you can prep the sauce and slice the veggies ahead of time.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free, But Not Flavor-Free

Finding restaurant-style comfort food that works with dietary restrictions can be a challenge. This Honey Sesame Chicken checks all the boxes: it’s free of gluten and dairy but still tastes just like the version you remember. Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend keeps the coating crisp and flavorful, while cornstarch helps bind everything together without compromising texture. There’s no butter, cream, or soy sauce needed—yet nothing about the taste feels like a compromise.

Family-Friendly, Crowd-Pleasing Flavor

One of the best things about this recipe is how universally appealing it is. Kids love the sweetness of the sauce, while adults appreciate the complexity brought by the vinegar and spice. The visual appeal—bright peppers, glossy sauce, and sesame seed garnish—makes it a standout on the plate. Serve it over rice for a classic takeout-style presentation, or go low-carb with cauliflower rice or sautéed greens. However you plate it, the final result is always impressive and satisfying.

A Smart Swap for Takeout Cravings

Ordering takeout is quick, but it often comes with unwanted trade-offs—extra oil, hidden sugars, high sodium, and little control over ingredients. Making Honey Sesame Chicken at home means you can indulge in your favorite flavors without compromising on health. You get all the crisp, sticky, spicy-sweet goodness with significantly less sodium, sugar, and grease than restaurant versions. You’re also in full control of portion size and spice level, which makes it easier to adapt for a variety of dietary goals.

Easily Adaptable for Air Fryers, Vegetarians, or Low-Carb Diets

This recipe is a great base for experimentation. Want to skip the oil? Try air-frying the chicken strips for a lighter version. Following a low-carb or keto plan? Substitute almond flour and swap honey for a sugar-free sweetener. Looking for a vegetarian take? Use firm tofu or cauliflower florets in place of chicken, and proceed with the same process for coating and frying or baking. The bold sauce brings enough character to make any protein or veggie shine.

A Nutritional Profile That Balances Comfort and Consciousness

Each serving comes in at around 500 calories, with roughly 30 grams of protein—making it a filling and well-rounded dish. The fat content, around 20 grams per portion, is primarily from the frying oil and olive oil used in cooking, which can be reduced further if desired. Carbohydrates total around 45 grams per serving, largely from the sauce and light coating. If you’re watching your sugar or sodium intake, you can adjust the honey and hot sauce quantities to suit your needs without compromising flavor.

Conclusion: Sweet, Spicy, Crispy—And Totally Homemade

This gluten- and dairy-free Honey Sesame Chicken is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort food just because you’re cooking cleaner or managing dietary restrictions. Crispy chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a glossy, crave-worthy sauce come together to create a dish that rivals takeout in both taste and presentation. Whether you’re serving it for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing friends on the weekend, it’s a recipe that delivers flavor, texture, and satisfaction in every bite. A few simple steps and a skillet are all it takes to bring this Asian-inspired favorite to life—right in your own kitchen.